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It may be time to find a new job.
There are two inflection points when it is the most advantageous to find a new job – when things are going great and when “the writing is on the wall.” When you’re at the top of your game and you notice some of the signs listed below, a window of opportunity has opened, but it won’t be open for long.
The trick is to both recognize that you’ve have reached one of these inflection points, and know that the time is right to make a move – whether it’s an internal advancement where you are already work, or a departure for greener pastures. Fortunately, there are some common signs that tell you when it’s time to act with decisiveness.
You just received an amazing performance appraisal. Clearly you are doing something right and it could be time to cash in on your success. If you are a high performer at one company, there is expectation that you will be at another. Investigate your options, and don’t wait! You don’t need to make a move, but this is one of those windows of opportunity that may not stay open for long.
You just had a really terrible performance appraisal. The writing is on the wall. Your performance is “wanting” and your “days are numbered.” Time to make a brutally honest self-assessment of your future where you are. If conditions aren’t ideal for you to turn your position around quickly, you should start searching for new work as soon as possible even if the job market isn’t as ripe as it could be. Do it before you have no choice.
You were passed over for a promotion. Somehow, you’re caught between the two poles. You’re a top performer but you’re not receiving the accolades and advancement you believe you are due. However, this shouldn’t be just a feeling. It should be the result of an actual interview process for a promotion that was then given to another candidate, especially if the new hire has been hired from outside the company. Upward mobility at your current employer may not be in the cards and it’s time to go.
A big transition is happening beyond your control. Sometimes the writing on the wall isn’t about you – it’s about your company. It can be a recession, a buyout, a re-organization, or a sudden change in corporate leadership. Regardless of the reason, when big changes are on the way that have a direct impact on staff livelihoods, or there is uncertainty about the future viability of a company, it may be time to seek something more stable and secure.
There is a surge in overall job openings. When there are a lot of job openings, it’s a sign that the labor market is advantageous for job seekers. Companies are in recruiting mode and compensation ranges are high to attract top talent. A company’s highest fixed expense is payroll, so when a lot of hiring is going on it means confidence in the economy is high and that companies are investing in human assets.
There is a surge in job openings related to what you do. If you notice a ton of ads for job openings related to exactly what you already do, the iron is hot. Strike. Your chance may not come again. For example, at this moment there is a major surge in demand for health care professionals right now - if you’re in medicine, the short and medium-term future is rich with opportunities. Increased job demand often equals an easier search and a very enticing paycheck.
Philip Roufail contributed to this article.
Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.
